We slipped the lines at 11:00am - just on high tide and left Fort Pierce for the last time (this season) - a most enjoyable stay! Out into the Gulf Stream as quickly as possible (15 nm increasing to 40 nm offshore) to get the current lift again as we headed north. A fresh easterly wind at 13 knots gave us a full 9 knots speed over ground with a full main and genoa flying. The gentle humming of the tow generator and the bow wave wash were the only sounds in the afternoon peace as we relaxed in the shade of the bimini.

Later, the wind lightened and veered southerly, perfect conditions for flying the asymmetric spinnaker (Genneker #2) - better known as "the colourful sail over the bow"! A great 3-4 hours lifting the boat in light winds then back to "white sails only" for the approaching night.

As dusk fell - cruise ships passed over the bow and to stern - en-route to the Bahamas - we settled into a nightly 3 hour watch routine sailing into the darkness beyond.